“Here!”

Sorren gave me a stick of dango, his smile bright and soothing.

“Thanks. You didn’t have to.” I advised, my eyes on the sweet. Sorren chuckled as we walked toward a tram.

“Don’t worry about it. You havent eaten since we left the office, so, I thought you could use a snack! Besides, you love dango.”

I turn to him with an eyebrow slightly raised, “How did you know that? I’ve… never told you that.”

“You never tell me anything! You haven’t told me-“

“I don’t have to tell you anything. I’m training you. I’m simply your mentor. Not your friend.”

“I know, but would it kill you to just have surface level conversations?” Sorren asked, talking like a child wanting some sort of leniency.

I sighed and kept my gaze forward. I looked back down on the dango, the treat making my stomach growl.

“Thank you.”

Sorren abruptly stopped walking, his face contorted with surprising confusion.

“What?”

I stop walking and turn to him, a couple feet in front of him.

“I said thank you. Is there a problem?”

Sorren laughed, “That’s the only thing you’ve said to me that’s been positive!”

His smile was big, his eyes filled with seemingly unshakable warmth. I stared at him in annoyance and rolled my eyes.

“Dont make it be the last.” I hissed and turned away from him, walking towards the tram again.

He quickly followed and walked up beside me.

“Fine, fine. I’ll shut up now.”

We boarded the tram, it whirred to life as it started to move along the streets. I ate the dango while we rode to our destination, Syphers capital, Silica.

“Also, Minnie told me.” Sorren blurted.

“Why?” I twirled the now empty dango stick in my hand.

“If your not gonna tell me superficial things about yourself, I might as well ask your best friend.” He clarified, leaning against the wall of the tram.

“Hm.”

I looked out to the city as the tram ascended over an overpass.

Why? I’ve done nothing except be cold and harsh to you, always being met with your bubbly personality. Is he wanting something from me? Maybe use me?

All of these thoughts clouded my judgement. I glanced over to Sorren, who was on his phone now, his face relaxed, his hair curled and messy as always, covering his eye. He didn’t seem like the type of person to be manipulative, or maybe he’s just good at it and I can’t seem to see it yet?

I looked away from him again and looked up to the city again, the sun hanging high in the sky.

“So… I’m sorry if I seemed intrusive. Asking about you to Minnie-“

“Don’t be. I…” I take a deep breath and turn to him.

“I’m not an open person. I have no intention of being one in the future…”

His face showed his disappointment and he looked away.

“…but, I suppose I can tell you some ‘surface level’ things about me.”

Soren’s face immediately changed to delight.

“Okay! That sounds good! Maybe we can be friends soon!”

I looked away from him again and looked down to my hands as I sat in the tram.

“Yeah…”

This job doesn’t allow friends, he knows that. Its a cardinal rule, something that can result in life or death. I’ve respected it, made it work by myself, secluding myself from even Minerva. Even just having one trusted friend is dangerous.

He doesn’t know anything about me, yet he’s kind. He’s always wanting to know if I’m okay, why I come into the office with a bruise or bandage, if I’ve eaten or not. Its all so confusing, I can’t tell if he’s being serious or wanting something in return.

Sorren taps me on the shoulder, “Hey, this is our stop right?”

I look up and see the street we’re suppose to get off on.

“Yeah sorry. Let’s go.”

I stand up and walk off of the tram, Sorren following close behind, his face showing slight concern.

“You alright? You were pretty out of it on the tram.”

“Its nothing. Let’s just get this done.”

Sorren nodded and continued to follow beside me as we both headed into a large building with holographic advertisements on the front.